If your dad withdrew money from a tax deferred retirement account…that IS counted as income for FAFSA purposes…and tax purposes…UNLESS he rolled that money over into another tax deferred account.
It sounds like he took that money out and spent did NOT put it in another tax deferred account. So…your income WOULD increase by that amount.
You need to find out what he did with that money. If it’s in your savings, it’s income…and an asset.
You can go and talk to your financial aid office about this. They might be able to help. But you will need documentation of that retirement account withdrawal. If this was a one time withdrawal for a decent reason, they might consider that…so go immediately and talk to them.
Regarding kids with $25,000 incomes NOT getting excelsior. It’s a LAST payer award for tuition, so if tuition is covered by other awards like Pell and TAP, they can’t double dip and get that money again. IIRC, Excelsior is last payer meaning that if no other awards cover tuition…and it’s tuition only…the Excelsior will pay the balance. Your $25,000 a year income friends from the Bronx probably had their tuition covered by TAP, Pell or whatever.
Also…your numbers aren’t adding up for me. You are OOS for NY…and the schools don’t guarantee to meet full need for all…and certainly not for OOS students.
@sybbie719 ??